Heath Come Back To Knock City Out Of Cup

Haywards Heath 2-1 Chichester City

“We need to learn from our mistakes quickly and get back to winning ways in the league now.”Danny Potter

Dave Herbert, seen here in FA Vase action, gave Chi a second half lead against Heath (Photo: Tommy McMillan)

Chichester slipped out of a second knockout competition in four days when they lost despite going ahead at Haywards Heath.

Heath started well in this Peter Bentley Cup quarter final before Chi settled and Lorenzo Dolcetti started to control things.

City keeper Ant Ender, in the form of his life in goal, made a string of good saves to keep Heath out.

Chi had good chances with Jimmy Wild and Dave Herbert linking up well and Rob Hutchings started to cause Heath problems with his energy and direct runs in behind.

It was goalless at half-time but City broke the deadlock on 57 minutes when Wild picked out Herbert on the edge of the box and he found the bottom corner.

Heath started to slow the game down and a very soft penalty converted by Callum Saunders let Heath back into it.

Chi were reduced to ten men when Kieran Hartley was shown his second yellow in the space of ten minutes.

Heath took advantage of their extra man and Max Miller headed the winner in the closing minutes.

Chi felt robbed and coach Danny Potter said: “The result is very disappointing, especially after we caused them so many problems early in the second half.

“We need to learn from our mistakes quickly and we must get back to winning ways in the league now.

“We’re still in the running for the league and we have a cup final to look forward to. We wish Haywards Heath all the best in the next round and we will meet them again in the last game of the season when we host them in the league.”